Asked about Smith-Njigba later in the summer, Macdonald said, “He’s a guy that we can focus our offense around, with our guys. Tyler Lockett is still a great player. DK Metcalf, phenomenal player, Noah Fant. I mean, (Smith-Njigba) is definitely going to be a massive piece of what we’re trying to do offensively.”
For his part, Smith-Njigba feels like the success he enjoyed last season is just the precursor of what’s to come this year and beyond.
“I felt like it was a good foundation,” Smith-Njigba said of his rookie campaign. “I can grow from it. A lot of growing pains, a lot of ups and downs, but kind of similar from first years of college and in high school. Kind of the same thing. I look forward going into the second year after completing a good offseason and training camp and just going on from that. But last year, not making the playoffs and not winning as many games as we wanted to. That didn’t sit well with me and so I’m looking for change this year.”
Smith-Njigba is also excited about what he is seeing from Grubb’s offense: “Just loving what I’m seeing right now. A lot of motions, a lot of putting us in the right position to make plays. Simple as that. I’m with him. We’re rocking and rolling right now… Just seeing Coach Grubb and his creativity on the motions and how we’re going to line up and things like that, so it’s definitely different, a lot of energy and I feel good about it.”
While there is a clear-cut top three at receiver in Lockett, Metcalf and Smith-Njigba, the battle for playing time and roster spots beyond that will be one of the more intriguing battles in camp. Jake Bobo, an undrafted free agent who emerged as a fan favorite last season, would appear to be the No. 4 target after that aforementioned trio, but free-agent signing Laviska Shenault Jr., who should also be a big factor on special teams, should factor into the battle for playing time and targets, as should Dee Eskridge if he can stay healthy. Dareke Young, who had a promising rookie campaign in 2022 before injuries cut short his season, also limiting him in last season, will also look to bounce back and be a factor at receiver.